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Similar to Woodland Wonders - Notes
Similar to Woodland Wonders - Notes (9)
Woodland Wonders - Notes
- 1. 1/6/2013
Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Woodland Wonders:
Plants for Dry Shade
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants August 7 & 10, 2010
Project SOUND - 2010
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
For some gardeners, restoration of locally
native plant life is of key importance… What is my local Plant Community?
Coastal
strand/bluff
S. Coastal
Prairie
Coastal
shrubland
Coastal Sage
Scrub
Chaparral –
parts of PV,
mostly at
higher
elevations
http://www.planetizen.com/node/23441
‘Very local’ native plants may be the easiest to grow – literally
‘grow themselves’
Riparian (wetland/streamside) communities
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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Gardens are located in the space
between natural and human landscapes
Madrona Marsh Preserve gives a good idea of what many local
neighborhoods might have looked like in the past
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
The Riparian Woodland is a source for
local shade plants that like water
Many gardeners want to create a cool, shady oasis
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.nanscapes.biz/gardens.html
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But what if you want/need both shade and water-wise?
http://philipsgardenblog.com/2008/04/
Or you may just want to make the shady parts of your
Perhaps you’re lucky enough to have a mature oak(s) in your garden garden more water-wise
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
A few guidelines – choosing appropriate A few guidelines – choosing appropriate
plant species for your garden native plant species for your garden
If you live near If you live in an urbanized area
natural areas: you may also:
Choose local native Choose plants from appropriate
areas that are not immediately
plants (from locally local, but still are close by:
derived sources) – Inland areas of L.A. Co.;
best choice Local foothills;
‘Coastal’ (lowland) plants from
Choose other native Orange or San Diego Co.
(and non-native)
Choose plants from farther away
plants & cultivars that have appropriate
Consult with your local Land with great care – characteristics for your garden:
Conservancy/Preserve or local native should not invade or Central/N. CA coastal areas
plant experts (CA Native Plant hybridize with local In fact, plants from ‘nearby areas’
S. CA deserts
Society) to make good choices native plants may actually have grown in your
neighborhood at one time Baja CA
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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The Southern Oak Woodland is our most The Southern Oak Woodland of CA
obvious source for dry shade plants Precipitation: 15-25” annually
Elevation: 1500-5000 ft in western S.
Foothills of S. California
CA (including Common trees/large shrubs:
L.A. and other
Coast Liveoak (Quercus agrifolia) - also
local counties) Canyon Liveoak (Q. chrysolepis), California
Black Oak (Q. kelloggii), Engelmann Oak
Inland valleys (Q. engelmannii ) and Valley Oak (Q.
of L.A. County lobata)
(Woodland CA Walnut
Hills; Thousand Blue Elderberry
Oaks; Diamond California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia
Bar; Cal Poly californica)
Pomona)
Toyon
Lemonadeberry
Sugarbush
http://www.rivenrock.com/october2007.htm Coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica),
© Project SOUND
Sourberry/Tri-lobe Sumac © Project SOUND
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities/southern-oak-woodland
Southern Oak
Woodland Southern Oak
Woodlands have a
Most often on North-facing
slopes, shaded canyons and distinctive ‘feel’ –
sheltered inland valleys – on dry shade
http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/Fall01%20projects/AcornW.htm well-drained soils
May be intersected by
intermittent streams http://www.laspilitas.com/California_birds/Sparoows_towhees_and_buntings/Chipping_sparrow/C
hipping_sparrow_in_your_garden.htm
Oaks may grow in dense
clusters or more openly – a
woodland rather than a forest
Smaller trees and shrubs
along with herbaceous plants,
ferns and grasses form a
vegetative understory which is
an important part of this
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/1594943902_ead554319f.jpg
community. http://grounds.stanford.edu/points/significanttrees/quercusagrifolia.html
One of the more common
understory plants is Poison Oak © Project SOUND
http://jamesgonzalez.net/images/trips/pinecreek/quercus_agrifolia.JPG
© Project SOUND
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Oaks are adapted to our Mediterranean climate Watering mature oak (or other Zone 1-2) trees
Mature CA oaks survive on winter
rains and a summer dry period.
Oaks set a deep tap root and have
many shallow surface feeder roots.
Shallow oak roots extend beyond
the tree’s canopy. Feeder roots are
typically 1 to 3 feet below the
soil's surface.
To keep S. CA oaks healthy you
need to replicate the summer dry
(Zone 1 or 1-2) water pattern; this
means using only plants with the
same summer water requirements Do not water in ‘critical area’ (10 ft from trunk)
under oaks.
Water only in dry spring and summer conditions (if at all)
Water no more than once a month; no overhead watering
Regularly watered lawns will kill Let water soak to depth of 18-24 inches
http://ic.ucsc.edu/~wxcheng/wewu/quercusagrifolia.htm a native CA oak, usually by Organic mulch (oak leaves) required, even in critical area – but
disease (root fungi)© Project SOUND not touching the trunk © Project SOUND
What do we mean by ‘dry shade’? Gardens in Mediterranean climates
(including S. CA) have three Water Zones
Zone 1 – no supplemental water; soils are
dry in summer/fall.
Zone 2 – occasional summer water; soil is
allowed to dry out between waterings.
http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Gardening/diggin-it/2009/0917/dry-shade-in-the-garden-a-checkered-solution
Watering is slow & deep to replenish the
soil water stores.
Your definition may
be very different Zone 3 – regular water; soil is usually moist
http://www.hotgardens.net/santa_barbara_garden_tour.htm
from mine to soggy, even in summer.
http://ilonasgarden.com/ © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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The secret of a water-wise garden is to prioritize water
Water
Zone
Description Picture Result/consequence needs and group plants with similar requirements
Many Zone 1 plants (including
many native to western L.A.
No supplemental
Zone 1 water
county & deserts) become Regular water
summer dormant; some shade
species remain green
Dry; needs
Includes ‘CA Natives’ from drought-
Occasional water; many plant communities; tolerant
soil dries out occasional summer water plants
Zone 2 between deep helps many species to remain
waterings evergreen – many also extend
bloom season
Only native riparian and some
Regular water;
Zone 3 soil moist/ soggy mountain/N. CA species – will
kill many local CA natives
‘Water-wise’ ; occasional summer water
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g00101.asp
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Is it hard to grow plants under oaks (and other
summer dry trees)?
Yes, but not impossible
Challenges: summer drought
requirement; dense shade; root
competition
Solutions:
Choose plants that thrive in
dry shade:
Plants from the Southern Oak
Woodland
Plants from the Central and
Northern Oak Woodlands
Other drought-and-shade
tolerant plants (often from
Chaparral)
Prune to provide better air
http://syllable.rice.edu/LangEx_06_07/WIKI/index.php?title=Presentation_Group_1_with_ circulation, light
Andr%C3%A9s&printable=yes&printable=yes
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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Central & Northern Oak Woodlands
Under many drought-tolerant trees you
have options/choices Annual rainfall: 20-35 inches
Dominant large trees/shrubs
Valley Oak (Quercus lobata), Blue Oak
(Quercus douglasii), Coast Live Oak
(Quercus agrifolia) and Interior Live Oak
(Quercus wislizenii)
Gray Pine ( Pinus sabiniana)
Understory:
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.)
Coffeeberry and Redberry (Rhamnus spp.)
Currant and Gooseberry (Ribes spp.)
Toyon
In openings:
Grasses & ferns
Annual & perennial wildflowers : Goldfields
(Lasthenia spp.), Poppies (Eschscholzia
spp.), Lupines (Lupinus spp.) and other
forbs in spring.
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Oak woodlands in Central &
N. CA get more rain – they The key is to group plants with like needs
look & feel more lush than
those of S. CA together
http://www.laspilitas.com/California_birds/Finches/House_finch/house_finch.html
You may find the ‘greener’ look of the
more northern Oak Woodland more to
your liking/needs
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities/central-oak-woodland © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Natural_Resources/Oak_Woodlands.htm
Shade is variable, even in an Oak Woodland
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
You need to become a Light shade
‘connoisseur of shade’ Definition: shaded but bright
Examples:
The sun's rays blocked by a tree,
Light shade (FS/PS): wall or building for several hours at
midday, sunny the rest of the day
receives shade for less Areas that receive filtered or
than four hours each day. http://www.rivenrock.com/blogcanyon062006.jpg
dappled sunlight for longer periods.
(edges of shady gardens or areas
under the canopy of lightly branched
Partial or semi-shade trees)
(PS): assumes a half day of Effects on plants:
shade. Provides beneficial cooling/shade
during the heat of summer
Full shade (FSH): occurs Flower and foliage color may be
more brilliant
where there is no direct
Most sun-loving plants can
sun. survive/thrive in light shade
http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/slides/Loeb/Loeb-Pages/index.html
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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Partial, medium or semi-
shade Full (dense) shade
Definition: direct sun rays are Definition: Little or no direct
blocked from an area for at least sunlight reaches the ground at any
half the day. time of the day.
Similar to an open glade in the forest There may be reflected light from
or the woods' edge sunnier areas of the yard or off
light-colored walls.
Examples:
Examples:
Established landscapes with mature
trees; area receives some direct sun Under thick tree canopies (under
http://www.nopalcactusblog.com/category/politics/
early or late in the day oaks and pines) or in dense groves of
trees
Bright, north- or east-facing
exposures, slopes Areas under stairways, decks or
covered patios on the north side of
buildings
Effect on Plants:
Protection from harmful effects of Effect on plants:
direct sunlight Relatively little available light
Less available light – so best to utilize Plant choice is critical since only
plants that require some shade limited plants will perform well in
such reduced light.
http://wildsuburbia.blogspot.com/2009/11/friends-of-south-pasadena-nature-park.html
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://longbeachnaturalareas.blogspot.com/2007/06/el-dorado-regional-park.html
Oak Woodlands are transitional – include
areas that are wetter & sunnier
Seasonal riparian plants
Plants of adjacent plant
communities:
Valley Grasslands
Chaparral
Even Mixed Evergreen Scrub
http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/fragile_habitats/climate.html
http://longbeachnaturalareas.blogspot.com/2007/06/el-dorado-regional-park.html
Openings in Oak Woodlands increase the variety
http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Natural_Resources/Oak_Woodlands.htm
© Project SOUND http://oakesfamily.net/nature.htm © Project SOUND
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Let’s say this is your front yard…
http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/slides/Loeb/Loeb-
Pages/index.html
Get to know your shade – throughout
the year
Choose plants that naturally grow
http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/slides/Meuris/Meuris-Pages/index.html
well under oaks
http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/slides/Richard/Richard-Pages/Image11.html
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
First let’s replace a shrub that’s gotten too
big & old…
http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Natural_Resources/Oak_Woodlands.htm
Part of what attracts you is the variety of understory
plants © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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Possible shrubs for local Oak Woodland Three-lobe Sumac – Rhus trilobata
understory
California sagebrush
(Artemisia californica)
California blackberry (Rubus
ursinus)
Nevin’s Barberry
Nevin’s Barberry
(Mahonia/Berberis nevinii )
California coffeeberry
(Frangula/Rhamnus
californica)
Sourberry/Three-lobed
Sumac (Rhus trilobata)
Coffeeberry
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E. et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU
© Project SOUND Extension and Western Area Power Admin., Bismarck, ND. © Project SOUND
Three-lobe Sumac – Rhus trilobata Three-lobed Sumac is loved by gardeners
because it’s so easy to grow…
Naturally occurring:
Soils: not too particular
Many areas of western N. America – Any texture; well-drained
Canada to Baja Any pH
Coastal and mountain areas of CA
Light: full sun to part-shade
In S. CA: coastal sage scrub, chaparral
and southern oak woodland Water:
Moist areas including stream-sides, Very drought tolerant when established
seasonal drainages, and canyon bottoms Can take some summer water – but may
become leggy
sand dunes and sand hills
Nutrients: fine with no fertilizer, but can
dry rocky slopes tolerate light doses/organic mulches
In same genus as Lemonade Berry, Very hardy; takes a frost
Sugar Bush & Poison Oak (which it
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Rhus+trilobata resembles) Rapid growth first 3-5 years; then
moderate
Also known as Basket-brush, Sumac,
Sourberry, Skunkbrush Lives 20-30 years
http://weather.nmsu.edu/nmcrops/ornamentals/SUMAC.htm
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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Management of Three-lobe Sumac Three-lobe Sumac
pleases the palette…
Planting:
Best in fall/winter Yellow flowers in spring
If planting under oaks, Butterflies & bees
don’t plant within 6 ft. of
trunk http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/sdpls/plants/Rhus_trilobata Red berries in summer
.html
Good transplant success Birds love them (many species)
rates
Make a tangy drink
Pruning: Excellent for jelly
Can even eat them raw (tart)
Can be pruned for shape
Cut back severely (to 6 Even the foliage is eaten
inches) to rejuvenate old occasionally by large & small animals
That’s all – very easy to manage plant plants or produce straight
stems (e.g. for basketry)
Remove any unwanted
suckers Many parts of the plant are used for
natural dyes
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Quercus-agrifolia/
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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* Bluewitch Nightshade – Solanum umbelliferum * Bluewitch Nightshade – Solanum umbelliferum
Coastal and foothill regions from
OR to Baja – locally in the San
Gabriel Mtns/foothills.
Dry, brush-covered slopes &
valleys – usually in chaparral and
low-elevation oak woodlands in
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?7625,7682,7699
California
A tough shrub which can grow in
rocky and clay soils
Often springs up in areas
recovering from wildfires or
other disturbances
© 2009 Ron Wolf
© 2008 Ellen Tatum
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Characteristics of the ‘Bluewitch’ Fabulous flowers
Size:
Blooms:
2-4 ft tall Mainly in spring-summer,
3-5 ft wide when days are warm
With water may bloom
Growth form: some at other times
Perennial sub-shrub – part woody
Mounded to sprawling Flowers:
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
(particularly in shade) Large for the family – 1” +
Fairly open branching Light blue-purple color
with golden stamens
Foliage: Quite showy – close at
Grayish to blue-green – rather night
pretty
Caution: all parts of plant are Fruits:
toxic if eaten In summer/fall
Green turning to purple;
Roots: branching © 2009 Keir Morse
flat seeds like tomato
© Project SOUND Brother Alfred Brousseau @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database © Project SOUND
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One hardy plant… Soils: Use Bluewitch in
Texture: any well-drained; will tough spots
even take clays on slopes
pH: any local
Light: On dry slopes – even
Full sun to part-shade part-shade areas
Water: Under oaks and other
Winter: adequate http://sbwildflowers.wordpress.com/wildflowers/solanaceae/solanum/solanum-umbelliferum/
water-wise trees
Summer: very drought tolerant
(Zone 1 or 1-2) but looks a little
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
In difficult to water
better at Zone 2 (occasional
water) areas
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils In a dry mixed bed with
grasses and wildflowers
Other: prune to shape
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Cultivar 'Spring Other perennials for S. Oak Woodland –
Frost' mostly sprawlers in shade
Slightly smaller (2’ x 2’)
Very light (gray) foliage
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=1201 White flowers
Diplacus aurantiacus Stachys bullata
Very attractive choice
for a white garden –
very unique, showy
Salvia spathacea Symphoricarpos mollis
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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Coast Range Melic Grass - Melica imperfecta
Grasses are also an
important part of local
Oak woodlands –
especially in dappled
sun & sunny edges
http://www.laspilitas.com/California_birds/Sparoows_towhees_and_buntings/Lark_sparrow/Lark_sparrow_in_y
our_garden.htm
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Melica-imperfecta/
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Coast Range Melic Grass - Melica imperfecta
Melic grass in the garden
Distribution: CA, Baja CA As a specimen plant in
Habitat: dry, rocky hillsides, small areas, rock gardens,
stable dunes, open woodlands deep pots
Delicate-looking cool-season
In natural meadows,
perennial bunching rhizomatous
grass grassy borders
Height: 1-3 ft Width: 2-3 ft Good for shaded areas –
Flowers on graceful stems
meadows or under trees
above leaves – dark brown
Soil stabilizer for slopes
fading to gold – Mar-June
Local variation in Restoring bare areas
characteristics
http://www.conservaseed.com/Melica%20imperfecta.htm
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Melica-imperfecta/ © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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California Polypody- Polypodium californicum Characteristics of CA Polypody
Size: 20” tall; individual plants ≈ 25”
wide – but often grow in spreading
clumps
Leaves:
Simple for fern – many leaflets with
serrated edges
Drought deciduous – dies back in
summer
No flowers: Sporangia are grouped in
round sori on the underside of the
leaflets.
Rhizomes (underground
stems) – relatively slow-
spreading
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/californiapolypody.html
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Polypodium-californicum/ http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/s
© Project SOUND dpls/plants/Polypodium_californi
© Project SOUND
cum.html
Growth requirements: not your eastern fern Polypody in the South Bay garden
Sun: part-shade to full shade; can
tolerate full sun only right along Bank cover on North-facing
coast, with adequate water slopes
Soils: On north sides of buildings
Any well-drained
Delicate, small scale fern for
Does not tolerate alkali soils
foreground rock walls
Water:
In mossy (winter/spring wet)
Moist in winter-spring – even rock gardens
tolerates flooding
Gradually reduce water for Excellent under oaks
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Polypodium-californicum/
http://www.davidlnelson.md/Cazadero/Ferns.htm
summer/fall dormancy – must have
Probably the easiest local dormant period In shaded beds
fern for the garden;
Nutrients: probably benefits from In a “fern dell” – needs it’s
location is everything
organic mulch; not a “big eater” summer drought so place
appropriately
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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We could fill in with some shade-tolerant annuals Miner’s Lettuce – Claytonia perfoliata
http://philipsgardenblog.com/2008/03/
© 2001 Steven Thorsted
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Miner’s Lettuce is fine in sun or shade… Growing Miner’s Lettuce
from seed
Herbaceous annual; makes a
good annual groundcover Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Extremely easy
Size: 6-12 in. high; to 12 in.
wide Sow in prepared soil in fall
(best) through spring
Growth period: fall to spring
Germinates with:
Blooms: Damp soil/fall rains
Small, white
Short days
Feb-May
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/minersl2.htm
Foliage: Re-seeds
Attractive & unusual May want to remove plants if
Edible: usually raw in salads or too prolific – will depend on
as greens site
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/phv66n3.editorial.html
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Reasons to include Collinsia in your
Chinese Houses – Collinsia heterophylla
shade garden
Easy, reliable annual
Beautiful flowers
Long blooming season
Make great cut flowers
Brighten up shady areas
of the garden
Does fine in planters, pots
Looks great with many
other flowers in planted
beds
Fine under trees
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
But perhaps this is more your style – ‘Central Oak Woodland’ theme
© Project SOUND
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